Class Projects: Carceral Environmental Justice

In Spring 2023, students in WWU’s ENVS 499D: Readings in Environmental Justice learned about the intersections between environmental justice and incarceration. We concluded the 1-credit seminar with several student-designed projects (shared with permission):

Writing letters to incarcerated people: About half of the class wrote letters to incarcerated people. If you would like to do the same, start by finding an inmate to write to using Wire of Hope’s inmate search engine. Each inmate profile includes contact information. Determine the type of facility they are in (Federal or State) by looking at their mailing address and searching for their inmate number at the corresponding prison. It’s generally easier to send a written letter initially, using plain lined paper, an envelope, and stamps. Write with a black or blue pen and avoid adding extra items as some facilities prohibit them. Remember that corrections officers will read your mail, so avoid referencing anything that could get the inmate into further trouble. Be straightforward in your communication, avoid discussing the inmate’s charges or case, and don’t ask about it in the first letter. If you’re comfortable, include a physical copy of a picture with the letter so that they can match a face to the name. Address the envelope and each page of the letter using the inmate’s listed address, including their last name and ID number.

Bellingham Jail Flyer: Throughout the quarter, we spent a good deal of time talking about the unsafe conditions at the current Bellingham jail. We explored the possibilities and challenges of providing jail alternatives. This flyer provides information about this issue, which is expected to be back on the ballot this fall.

Mapping TRI and Prisons in Washington: This report details the spatial connection between polluting Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) sites and prisons in the state of Washington.